Kerensky in London

Taihape Daily Times, 12 July 1918, Page 6

Kerensky in London

f . A' ‘ MIXED RECEPTION. • j ;; ; ’ OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK. ih - -' n " ,: - v 1 : 'LONDON, June -27; ' j •< -M-j Kerensky arrived] in -London se-; cretly a week ago, and his visit was known only To a few Socialist friends: The majority of the ; delegates -to the ; conference ’ ’ yesterday !! did' notqrecog-i nise him when Mr. Henderson- led forward a dark, grav'd, 1 pale-faced neatlytailored man. A brief dramatic intio-i duction had barely been -uttered 1 when the startled " delegates"leaped to their feet and'' cheered' \iiiffly. "■'Hhts 'were flung up mid shouts’ of welcome, and Kerensky was invited to join as a fra, ternal delegate. ' -- -r ll - l A’ few- delegates' suspiciously tioned M. Kerensky's' presence; * They asked why the Government favoured him, while M. Troelstra, the Dutch pro-German Socialist, and M. Litvinoff were not allowed to participate. The chairman, Purdy, ruled the questions out of order. Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P., said that he introduced Kerensky only as a ft an who had done much good in the interests of democracy. (Cheers). A further question produced an uproar, in which an overwhelming majority supported the chairman, and shouted down the interrupters. Kerensky’s appearance suggests an intellectual ascetic, who has been greatly reduced by disaster and ill- - ness. He retains his masterful bearing and decisive speech. His eyes give an impresion of a tense, burning spirit, possessing a piercing brightness almost unnatural. In- an interview, M. Kerensky said that, despite the horror of the Bolshevik regime, he could see reason to hope for the prompt regeneration of Russia, The closest friendship of the allies; was !vital. The Bolsheviks willingly or unwillingly were working in the interests of Germany, but their days were numbered. , The scene which -occurred yesterday after the dramatic introduction of Ker- ! ensky, when the delegates sympathis- | ing with the present' Russian regime j questioned Kerensky’s standing, was repeated to-day, when Kerensky and other foreign delegates attended. Kerensky's credentials were challenged, and .pandemonium feigned for a time. Eventually the chairman was permitted to welcome the delegates.